Combating minimum wage surcharges

Working Washington began tweeting out images in late January of receipts from local businesses that added misleading surcharges that purport to go toward the higher minimum wage and other labor costs. The organization is asking the state Department of Labor & Industry to instruct businesses to end the practice.

Photos of receipts show extra charges after the “subtotal” line. One says it’s for the “Seattle Fair Wage Act,” another for a “WA Min Wage Fee.” Working Washington argues that the minimum wage is a cost of doing business and that putting such charges on a receipt is a political message to rile up animus toward the minimum wage increase.

The organization is asking that the department issue clear rules banning the practice.

Ashley Archibald is a Staff Reporter covering local government, policy and equity. Have a story idea? She can be can reached at ashleya (at) realchangenews (dot) org. Twitter @AshleyA_RC